beat up

(redirected from beat one up)

beat (oneself) up

To continually criticize or question oneself, usually about something that one cannot change. Oh, honey, I know you're upset about failing the driver's license test, but try not to beat yourself up too much.I've been really beating myself up about that fight I had with my mom. I wish I could take back a lot of the things I said.

beat up

1. verb To deliver a violent physical attack. In this usage, a person's name or pronoun is often, but not always, used between "beat" and "up." The captain of the football team swore he would beat me up if I ever talked to his girlfriend again.I can't believe that skinny kid beat up the school bully!

2. verb To defeat an opponent easily and/or by a wide margin. In this usage, the phrase is often followed by "on." The final score was 17-1? Wow, we really beat up on that team!I got beat up by a much more highly ranked opponent in the first round.

3. verb To criticize someone harshly and/or continually. In this usage, the phrase is often followed by "on." Mom, I know you're disappointed in Stephanie's grades, but quit beating up on her—she feels bad enough as it is.I haven't made many sales this year, so I expect to get beat up in my performance review.

4. verb To damage or wear out from heavy use. I'm afraid I tend to beat up my shoes really quickly.

5. adjective Showing signs of wear or damage, as from heavy use. The phrase is typically hyphenated before a noun. Can we throw away these beat-up old notebooks already?The old car looks really beat up, but it runs pretty well.

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